H.S. GIRLS BASKETBALL: Timberlake, Jones lead Wamps past Needham

Friday

BRAINTREE -- This year's edition of the Braintree High girls basketball team is not yet the dominant force some previous Wamps juggernauts were, with a lot of new faces, and even many veterans facing expanded roles. But when the game is in the balance, Braintree still has prime-time players such as seniors Adrian Timberlake (23 points, 8 rebounds) and Jeniyah Jones (19 points, 18 rebounds) to make good things happen.

On Friday night, Braintree survived a turnover-laden first half, and with 12 unanswered points (seven from Timberlake) allowing them to find a bit of breathing room in the the third quarter, held off a hustling Needham team, 56-43.

It looked like the Wamps (7-1) would pull away to a big margin of victory when Timberlake canned a 3-pointer for a 51-36 advantage with 3:46 to play in the final frame, but the Rockets (4-3) battled back behind seven straight points from junior point guard Kiara McIntyre (16 points) to make the final score tighter.

"Needham is a really good team, especially against us," said Braintree coach Kristen McDonnell. "They brought a whole 'nother level of energy with them tonight. Up by 15 after Adriana's 3-pointer, it felt like we had it, but Needham came right back at us. We have a lot of young players and I think they get excited and rush things in a game like this. We play very hard, but not always smart."

Braintree led 13-9 after one quarter and 25-22 at halftime. The Wamps held a 21-12 rebounding edge at intermission, but their 13 turnovers (to Needham's 15) and 27-percent shooting (Needham was at 29 percent) kept the visitors close.

"That first half, it was just sloppy play, despite Needham's tough defense," said McDonnell. "We have too many people trying to be the hero instead of focusing on team basketball. Like our rebounding, which concerned me, because we weren't boxing out, and just relying on jumping. We're an undersized lot, and we have to play good fundamental, team basketball. And some of our passes were just ... ugh! We're trying to make too much happen, instead of just letting plays develop."

Four points from Needham senior Marianna Jantzen had the visitors within 27-26 in the first minute or two of the third period. But that's when everything started to click for the Wamps, and their turnover problem seemed to disappear. Ariana Fay started the run with long 3-pointer, Jones threw in a rebound, and then Timberlake nailed her own trey. Timberlake made a backcourt steal for another hoop and then canned a jumper to finish off the 12-0 run, which gave Braintree a 39-26 advantage with 2:51 to go in the period. Braintree went into the fourth quarter on top, 46-32.

Frustratingly enough, that smooth offensive play didn't continue, and after almost four minutes the final frame stood at 2-2. Timberlake's next 3-pointer, and then a Jones drive, should have put it on ice. But Needham was having none of that, and McIntyre sandwiched a three, a steal, and another inside layup around Timberlake's final trey to make the last few minutes tense. Braintree is still a work in progress, but still winners of seven of eight so far. The Wamps shot 32 percent for the game, while holding Needham to 28 percent.

"We have some new players, and also lots of returning players who played supplemental roles last year," said McDonnell. "This season they're having to step into major roles, and being asked to do much more, and it is an adjustment. We are picking up our bumps and bruises along the way, but we'll get there. Adriana had a great game tonight, and Jeniyah really got us a ton of points when we couldn't buy a basket."

"We have another tough one coming right up," noted McDonnell. "Natick is a very tough team, and we host them on Tuesday, so we have to get some of this stuff cleaned up."